Current Day

AJ, Zach, and I take a booth at Arti’s Place—the team’s favorite local hangout pub. It’s a quaint bar, serves decent food, but the owner makes the place. He’s one hell of a stand-up guy. Arti came to the States in his early twenties, is a die-hard Phillies fan, and he takes care of us players. If the crowd gets too large or packed with too many overbearing fans, he directs us to a private room. One with no public access. He’s the main reason we like coming here.

“How my three favorites?” The latter comes out as fav’ritez.

“Shucks, Arti. I bet you say that to all the guys.” AJ chuckles. “Just two weeks ago, you doted over Drake.”

“He’s going to be good, that one. You see.” Arti’s thick and heavy accent reminds me of my papa. Papa’s broken English used to drive me crazy when I was little. Now I miss it.

“Old man, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” AJ grumbles but maintains a casual face. After this season, the team has the option to trade him, and I think they’ll exercise that option. The team knows they have a good catcher in Drake. Not that AJ’s a slacker. He’s one of the best, but the upper brass will always do what’s best for the team.

Arti laughs and turns to me. “You should’ve won. You more runs than that joker.”

“Ah, Arti. You give me the feels.” I pound my fist against my chest. “At least it was close.”

“Those people don’t know nothin’.”

“It’s all good. Maybe this year will be better.”

“You better believe it. ’Kay. What we drink, the usual?”

We confirm our order, and Zach and AJ wince when Arti leaves. Neither one has brought up the MVP loss since last night.

“Sorry, man,” Zach says.

“I’m all right. We’ll get them this year.”

“Damn straight.” AJ fist bumps me and then scopes out the bar scene. “Little slow tonight, but check out the hottie to the right.”

A redheaded bombshell sits at the end of the bar, talking to another girl. The hem of her leopard-print dress showcases her short, but athletic, legs. The neckline dips to her waist, revealing a healthy rack. How she’s not spilling out of the dress, I’ll never know. Her bright red lipstick clashes with her hair, but she’s stunning as hell. A little too wild for my taste, but she’s perfect for AJ. He prefers his women a little loud with a side of crazy. He’s brought home some wildcats before. With paper-thin walls, I’ve had to wear my noise-canceling headphones more than I want to admit.

“She’s fucking hot,” Zach says.

“Hell, yeah, she is. You two going to be good sitting here why I go sniff her out?”

“I’m good,” I say.

“Here you boys go.” Arti lays our beers in front of us. “Tonight’s slow, but any problems, come find me.”

“Thanks, Arti.” I grab the beer from him and bring the tip to my mouth.

AJ stands and grabs his bottle. With a slap on Arti’s back, he says, “You’re a good man, but there’s a lonely looking lady over there.”

I glance at his new prospect right as she tips her head back, laughing. You can hear her cackle from here.

“Don’t think she’s too lonely,” Zach says.

Arti shakes his head but chuckles. “You boys keep me young.”

“She only thinks she’s happy. Wait until she meets me. She’ll be fucking ecstatic.” Without another word, AJ cuts to the corner bar and doesn’t waste time getting to know his latest prospect. She gives him a once-over, and by the slow seductive smile tugging her lips, he’s good to go.

And I’m not envious. At all.

For the first time in my adult life, I don’t want a one-night stand. I want more. More hours. More days. More Jocelyn. It’s been six days since I left, and I have to wait for another five before seeing her again.

Fuck, I want her now.

I pull my phone out to check my messages.

“She’s probably half a wine bottle deep with Lacey by now. I doubt she’s sending you texts.”

“I was checking the time.” I slide my phone back into my pocket.

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Zach nudges his chin toward the corner bar. “I think our boy has scored.”

My gaze flicks to AJ, whose muscles are currently being fondled by the redhead. “I’m sure I’ll meet her in our kitchen tomorrow.”

“I feel sorry for you. One day he’s going to bring the wrong girl home.”

“Well, well, well. We meet again,” a sultry voice says.

Zach and I both turn to face a curly-haired platinum blonde. Zach quirks an eyebrow at me, but I shrug nonchalantly. I have no clue who the woman is, but she eyes me as if we’re past lovers.

“It appears.” I rack my brain, trying to place her, but come up blank. I’m sure to have remembered fucking those tits, but still, nothing. And if by chance I did fuck her, asking her name would be hella rude.

“Buy me a drink…for old time’s sake.” She sits beside me and pouts, which I’m sure is to make her seem cute, but I find it rather cringe-worthy. Who the hell is she? Zach stifles a laugh, and it takes great restraint not to kick him under the table.

“I’m sorry, but my girlfriend wouldn’t appreciate me buying other women drinks. Even if we are old friends.” The last word leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I don’t want to piss this girl off, but my past taught me one thing—make sure women know I’m taken. Jocelyn and I haven’t talked exclusivity, but there isn’t anyone else I want. And I won’t lose her over a technicality. Not again.

“Lucky girl.” She forces a smile and leans in next to my ear, her boobs pressing against my chest. “In case things don’t work out, you know where to find me.”

Not a chance. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

She slides out of the booth and winks at Zach before leaving the bar.

“Who the hell was that?” Zach crooks his neck to watch her walk away.

“Not a clue.” She was so adamant I knew her, but she’s not familiar at all.

“I’m impressed.”

“With her?”

“No, dumbass. With you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you turn down a fine specimen like that since the first semester, freshman year.”

“I’m not fucking up my chances with Jocelyn.” I take a long pull of my beer. Five days before seeing her. It’s going to be a long five days.